Neist Point

Everyone in Harris and when we arrived here in Skye were quite determined to tell us that the forecast for today was rain!

They were right. After 10 days away without getting wet we weren't complaining. We have a Loch view room but at 6.45am there was no Loch to view! It did reappear but continued to rain so, undeterred, we went to the village store and Chris bought an umbrella. All assured there was to be no let up today.

We walked the mile down the road to Dunvegan Castle, the seat of the Macleod of the Macleods. As we were already wet we looked around the gardens first and then the castle. It was very busy as many people had the same idea. Lo and behold when we left the castle it was fine! Just shows what buying an umbrella can do.

So to plan A and set off across the Duirinish peninsula to Neist Point Lighthouse. The most western point on Skye.
We crossed through Glendale, a very pretty valley but apparently now populated by English and not islanders. It was not unlike Coigach where we stayed last week but much more expensive looking houses and more visitors.

We did stop at a sweet vintage cafe for tea and cake so had to walk it off when we reached our destination, which was so busy we were barely able to park. A 3 mile return trip up and down some very steep paths and steps. The cliff face is popular with climbers and many people were choosing to stand at the top! I hate seeing this it freaks me out!

The view out to sea was fantastic looking right  across to the Uists in the Outer Hebrides.

It is supposed to be a great place for whale and dolphin watching as is the coast of Lewis, but we didn't hit lucky,  (unlike Chris who again on our ferry yesterday was party to a sighting of a Minke whale!  - I was downstairs!)

The cloud remained low even though the weather had improved, so no clear view of the Macleod Tables at the south of the peninsula. We did see them last night though as we walked back from dinner, beautifully reflected in the loch together with a few houses and the lights at the camp site. See Extra.

My first stay on Skye and we have only seen a very small part of it. My main comment would be to come back outside of July/August as it is incredibly busy. At dinner last night people were still coming in at 10.00pm and others were waiting an hour or more for a table. We had ours booked for us by our hotel hosts luckily.

Long drive home tomorrow!